Walton Green saw surface water come down the road and the drains were overwhelmed.

Residents have been forced to move their belongings upstairs as water crept through their front doors from lunchtime onwards.

Andy Luke, who lives on the road but has not been affected by the flooding, said: “Flood defences doing their job well, but most water coming up from the drains as exits to River Darwen are covered by high water levels.”

One woman said her elderly grandmother was facing a return home to find all her carpets and curtains ruined.

Heavy rain across Preston and Lancashire has caused disruption and flooding in the city and across the county.